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Seattle Department of Neighborhoods news and eventsThu, 30 Jul 2015 22:44:04 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.3Join the Conversation!http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/07/30/join-the-conversation/
http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/07/30/join-the-conversation/#respondThu, 30 Jul 2015 22:44:04 +0000http://frontporch.seattle.gov/?p=4598The Seattle 2035 Draft Plan is out, and the City wants you to weigh in! The Draft Plan includes Key Proposals that will guide how Seattle grows and your feedback is needed to help make important decisions.

Join the Online Community Conversation at seattle2035.consider.it. Once you’re there, you can review 10 Key Proposals from the Draft Plan, and discuss the potential pros and cons of each with your fellow Seattleites. Feedback received through the Seattle 2035 Online Community Conversation will help inform the Mayor’s Recommended Plan, coming in December 2015.

Step 3: Read the pros and cons for each Key Proposal and add your own! Use the sliders to show if you agree or disagree.

Step 4: Check back often to see what your fellow Seattleites are saying!

]]>http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/07/30/join-the-conversation/feed/0City of Seattle Awards $467,000 for Neighborhood Projectshttp://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/07/28/city-of-seattle-awards-467000-for-neighborhood-projects/
http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/07/28/city-of-seattle-awards-467000-for-neighborhood-projects/#respondTue, 28 Jul 2015 17:07:00 +0000http://frontporch.seattle.gov/?p=4593The City of Seattle is awarding $467,562 in matching funds to support neighborhood-initiated projects across Seattle. Twenty-eight community groups received awards from the Neighborhood Matching Fund for a variety of events, cultural festivals and projects.

“These projects are the result of neighbors working together to better their community,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “The entire city benefits from their volunteerism and talent as they create, plan and implement these projects. The Neighborhood Matching Fund is there to support their efforts, whether it is an exhibit, a documentary or a playground.”

These awards are part of the Small and Simple Projects Fund, one of three funds offered by Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. It provides cash awards of up to $25,000 in matching funds to community organizations committed to fostering and building a better community. The 2015 June awards range from $4,000 to $25,000, and the organizations pledge to match the City’s $467,562 investment with $600,132 of locally raised money, donated materials and volunteer labor.

“There is a reason the Neighborhood Matching Fund has existed for 27 years. It’s been a valuable resource for communities to turn their visions into reality,” said Kathy Nyland, director of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. “Plus, for every dollar awarded, the community leverages the funds by matching the award. And this round of projects shows the diversity of ideas and creativity, proving once again how resourceful communities are throughout this city.”

In addition to the Small and Simple Projects Fund, the Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) has two other programs: the Large Projects Fund which provides matching funds of up to $100,000 and the Small Sparks Fund which provides funds of up to $1,000. Since 1988 more than 5,000 projects have been completed by neighborhoods and communities with the help of NMF, and its investment in neighborhoods can be seen across the city. For more information about all of the funds visit seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/.

$8,927 to Seattle-Sihanoukville Sister City Association to produce an event to provide education and share stories of Cambodian refugees during the Khmer Rouge Genocide and their resettlement in the United States. (Community match: $13,365)

$25,000 to Center for Linguistic and Cultural Democracy to produce a Seattle Caribbean Festival sharing cultural performances and cultural exchange to unite members of the diverse Caribbean community. (Community match: $20,480)

$10,000 to Gay City Health Project to solicit public input to create a database of health care providers to ensure the LGBTQ community has access to high quality, competent healthcare. (Community match: $7,220)

$23,500 to Colman Park Restoration Project to develop a vegetation plan with community input for the west slope of Colman Park. (Community match: $12,260)

$5,110 to Othello Park Alliance to plant a hillside at Othello Park with 100% low native plants and involve the community in the selection and process. (Community match: $5,150)

West Seattle Projects

$24,400 to Chief Sealth Indoor Tennis to conduct a feasibility study and develop a conceptual plan for an indoor tennis center at the former Denny Middle School site. (Community match: $14,720)

$25,000 to South Park Area Redevelopment Committee to create a design with public input, construction documents, and cost estimates to improve Duwamish Waterway Park. (Community match: $45,575)

$21,395 to the West Seattle Time Bank to host 20 community events and workshops to promote timebanking and increase participation in West Seattle. (Community match: $22,840)

$15,000 to Circulo de Mamas Seattle to convene 20 Latina mothers and community members to further develop their community leadership through culturally relevant training. (Community match: $25,550)

North Seattle Projects (north of Ship Canal)

$12,000 to Low Incoming Housing Institute to produce a free event series that feature the people and topics relating to the Ballard neighborhood. (Community match: $6,320)

$24,400 to Ballard Historical Society to conduct a historic inventory of the Ballard community and utilize a visual and interactive GIS mapping component to engage volunteers and the public. (Community match: $32,400)

$15,000 to Ballard Partnership for Smart Growth to perform outreach within Ballard to garner interest in a proposed Business Improvement Area (BIA) to serve the needs of the neighborhood. (Community match: $17,820)

$4,000 to Friends of the Lake City Fred Meyer Garden Project to lead a community design process to beautify and activate a parcel of land owned by Fred Meyer for community benefit. (Community match: $2,240)

$25,000 to Freedom Project to organize a serves of free workshops to address racial inequity by engaging in collective learning, dialogue, and action. (Community match: $21,730)

$12,000 to Lake City Future First to improve a website and use it as a place to post volunteer opportunities and projects needing support, connect Lake City to resources, and encourage posts by community members for broad community engagement. (Community match: $13,260)

Central Seattle Projects

$25,000 to Leschi Community Council to install Fitness Zone equipment in Powell Barnett Park to increase the neighborhood’s access to health and fitness. (Community match: $39,500)

$15,000 to Growing Vine Street to increase capacity and engage the community in a dialogue about green space needs, neighborhood history, and other topics through two events. (Community match: $23,100)

$12,000 to Capitol Hill Housing Foundation to engage renters living in the Capitol Hill EcoDistrict in voter registration and a 2016 Renters Summit. (Community match: $30,980)

$16,000 to Sustainable Capitol Hill to create a community tool library and fixer’s collective to provide items to check out or use in the workshop. (Community match: $42,100)

$25,000 to Lawton Elementary School PTA to complete construction-ready documents to modernize the playground and redesign the surrounding space for the neighborhood. (Community match: $59,150)

]]>http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/07/28/city-of-seattle-awards-467000-for-neighborhood-projects/feed/0Apply now for Funds to Support Neighborhood Night Out 2015 Activitieshttp://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/06/16/apply-now-for-funds-to-support-neighborhood-night-out-2015-activities/
http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/06/16/apply-now-for-funds-to-support-neighborhood-night-out-2015-activities/#respondTue, 16 Jun 2015 22:53:42 +0000http://frontporch.seattle.gov/?p=4561If your neighborhood needs funding to participate in the 31st Annual Night Out on August 4, the Neighborhood Matching Fund may be able to help. However, you’ll need to apply now to its Small Sparks Fund because the deadline is Monday, June 22 at 5:00 p.m. The Small Sparks Fund provides matching dollars for neighborhood-initiated projects that promote community engagement. Community groups can request up to $1000 to help fund Night Out planning efforts and activities such as outreach efforts, educational fairs, bike parades, and neighborhood cleanups, to name a few. Even though the deadline for applications is June 22, you’ll need to register first in our web-based application system by June 19. For information on the application process, visit seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/smallsparks.htm or call 206-733-9916. The Small Sparks Fund is open to applications year-round. Night Out is a national crime prevention event designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, increase neighborhood support in anti-crime efforts, and unite communities. To learn more about Night Out, visit www.seattle.gov/police/Nightout/. ]]>http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/06/16/apply-now-for-funds-to-support-neighborhood-night-out-2015-activities/feed/0June Issue of Neighborhood News is Out!http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/06/15/june-issue-of-neighborhood-news-is-out/
http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/06/15/june-issue-of-neighborhood-news-is-out/#respondMon, 15 Jun 2015 22:23:05 +0000http://frontporch.seattle.gov/?p=4557Here is your June issue of our newsletter, Neighborhood News. Enjoy!

]]>http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/06/15/june-issue-of-neighborhood-news-is-out/feed/0A message from Kathy Nyland, our new Department Directorhttp://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/06/12/a-message-from-kathy-nyland-our-new-department-director/
http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/06/12/a-message-from-kathy-nyland-our-new-department-director/#respondFri, 12 Jun 2015 17:15:18 +0000http://frontporch.seattle.gov/?p=4555Nine Days. I’ve been here nine days. June 2nd was my first official day here at Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. I say “official” because I have worked with this department in some capacity for years. This is familiar ground to me. In my previous life, pre-nine days ago, I have:

Relied on my Neighborhood District Coordinator over the years and credit a few for being mentors to me.

I have not signed up for a P-Patch….not yet. I have not mastered weeding in my own yard so that guilt has prevented me from signing up for a plot elsewhere.

So, yes, I am familiar with this department.

This department is rich in history. Created nearly 30 years ago, this is a department that has introduced the city to many programs that are considered crowning jewels. My role is to make sure that our future is just as rich as our past, and I am honored and thrilled to help lead the way.

I come here having ideas but knowing I do not have all of the answers. And that’s why I am going to rely on you. Here are a few things I do believe:

Our residents are quite resourceful and are some of our best resources.

We need more chairs at the table.

Not everyone can provide testimony during the day or attend a meeting in the evening.

Let’s identify the obstacles and create more opportunities.

Everyone has a voice, and it’s our job to make sure those voices are heard.

Though this department is not new to me, this role is. It truly is an honor – a bit daunting, but an honor. I look forward to listening and learning something new every day. Here is to “day 10” and many more beyond that!

Kathy

]]>http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/06/12/a-message-from-kathy-nyland-our-new-department-director/feed/0High Point and NewHolly Farm Stands Open this Monthhttp://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/06/11/high-point-and-newholly-farm-stands-open-this-month/
http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/06/11/high-point-and-newholly-farm-stands-open-this-month/#respondThu, 11 Jun 2015 21:25:17 +0000http://frontporch.seattle.gov/?p=4554For fresh organic produce this summer look no further than the High Point and NewHolly Farm Stands which open for the season at the end of June. The farm stands offer produce picked right from the P-Patch market gardens and grown by low-income residents of the High Point and NewHolly Seattle Housing Authority neighborhoods.

The High Point Farm Stand is located at 32nd Ave. SW and SW Juneau Street. It is open on Wednesdays beginning June 24 to September 30. The NewHolly Farm Stand is located at S. Holly Park Dr. between 40th Ave. S. and Rockery Dr. S. It is open Fridays beginning June 26 through October 2. Both farm stands’ hours of operation are 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The farm stands accept EBT cards and participate in Fresh Bucks which doubles consumers’ first $10 spent on the card. Come see the gardens, meet the farmers, and enjoy their organic produce.

The High Point and NewHolly Market Gardens are part of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods P-Patch Community Gardening Program and its collaboration with Seattle Housing Authority and GROW to support low-income gardeners and their neighborhoods. Its mission is to establish safe, healthy communities and economic opportunity through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and farm stand enterprises.

]]>http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/06/11/high-point-and-newholly-farm-stands-open-this-month/feed/0Funds Available to Support Neighborhood Night Out 2015 Activitieshttp://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/05/29/funds-available-to-support-neighborhood-night-out-2015-activities/
http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/05/29/funds-available-to-support-neighborhood-night-out-2015-activities/#respondFri, 29 May 2015 17:14:23 +0000http://frontporch.seattle.gov/?p=4520If your neighborhood plans to participate in the 31st Annual Night Out on August 4, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods has a fund to support your event.

The Small Sparks Fund provides matching dollars for neighborhood-initiated projects that promote community engagement. Community groups can request up to $1000 to help fund Night Out planning and activities such as outreach efforts, educational fairs, bike parades, and neighborhood cleanups, to name a few. The deadline for applications is Monday, June 22 at 5:00 p.m., but you must register first in our web-based application system by June 19 to apply.

Night Out is a national crime prevention event designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, increase neighborhood support in anti-crime efforts, and unite communities. To learn more about Night Out, visit seattle.gov/police/Nightout/.

]]>http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/05/29/funds-available-to-support-neighborhood-night-out-2015-activities/feed/0People’s Academy for Community Engagement Accepting Applicationshttp://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/05/22/peoples-academy-for-community-engagement-accepting-applications/
http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/05/22/peoples-academy-for-community-engagement-accepting-applications/#respondFri, 22 May 2015 17:14:50 +0000http://frontporch.seattle.gov/?p=4512Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is accepting applications to the People’s Academy for Community Engagement (PACE), its civic leadership development program for the next wave of community leaders. The program begins this September and runs through September 2016.

During the 12-month program, 26 emerging leaders (18 years and up) will learn hands-on strategies for community building, accessing government, and inclusive engagement from experts in the field. PACE has a strong focus on Seattle’s community and neighborhood organizations, and the city’s governmental structure and processes.

Sessions will be held on the third Thursday of each month from 5:30-9 p.m. at Seattle University. They begin this September and go through next May; then from May through August, participants work in teams with neighborhood groups to plan and implement community projects. Graduation occurs in September of 2016.

]]>http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/05/22/peoples-academy-for-community-engagement-accepting-applications/feed/0Seattle’s Neighborhood Matching Fund Available for Youth Activitieshttp://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/05/20/seattles-neighborhood-matching-fund-available-for-youth-activities/
http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/05/20/seattles-neighborhood-matching-fund-available-for-youth-activities/#respondWed, 20 May 2015 23:03:46 +0000http://frontporch.seattle.gov/?p=4511Is your school or neighborhood planning a youth activity? If so, your group may qualify for support from Seattle’s Neighborhood Matching Fund program. Its Small Sparks Fund provides matching dollars of up to $1000 for neighborhood-initiated projects that promote community engagement.

]]>http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/05/20/seattles-neighborhood-matching-fund-available-for-youth-activities/feed/0Hurry! Only 10 Spots Remain for our Free Workshop on Gardening with Youth!http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/05/20/interested-in-gardening-with-youth-join-us-for-our-free-workshop/
http://frontporch.seattle.gov/2015/05/20/interested-in-gardening-with-youth-join-us-for-our-free-workshop/#respondWed, 20 May 2015 16:10:07 +0000http://frontporch.seattle.gov/?p=4498Join us for a fun and educational workshop for adults who are leading (or would like to lead) a youth gardening program! The workshop is hosted by the P-Patch Community Gardening Program and led by Emily Bishton, lead educator for Magnuson Nature Programs and Sand Point Elementary School Gardens. The workshop is Saturday, May 30, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Magnuson Brig (6344 NE 74th St) in the Ravenna Room. We’ll spend most of the time outdoors in the adjacent Magnuson Children’s Garden, so make sure to dress for the weather. The workshop is FREE, but pre-registration and completing our questionnaire to enhance the workshop is required. Magnuson Children’s Garden is a vibrant public garden that began in 2001 and contains a wide variety of plants and other features that make it an exciting place for children (and adults) to learn about gardening and nature. It also contains a 300 sq ft P-Patch plot with child-height, accessible-raised beds. Come check out this unique garden and join us for a lively morning! The Magnuson Park P-Patch is one of our 90 P-Patch community gardens.